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Questions
After you have given yourself some time to process things and you are ready to begin making phone calls to services with your questions, it is helpful to have a clear understand of what type of questions to ask.
Any agencies that you call for services will set up an appointment to meet with you for an “intake” process. They will have you fill out many forms and ask you many personal questions about your child and your family situation. Be sure to ask questions to them in return as well.
Here are some basic, but important questions you might want to consider asking to help you get started with the services that you are looking for. Make sure that you add any other questions to your list that you feel would be something that needs to be addressed. You should also write down or record any answers you receive so you can refer to it later on if needed. This list can be printed off here for your use.
About The Service
Does your agency have experience with working with children who have autism or work exclusively with those who have autism?
What specific services/therapies and/or interventions does your agency offer and specialize in?
Does your agency have a particular philosophy or use certain methods when working with children with autism?
Can you provide references from other parents that have used your services?
Time-frame
Is there a wait list? If yes, how long is the estimated time on the wait list?
Is the wait list process based on severity or have specific criteria for rushed priority?
Are there any additional services that you offer or can recommend while we are on the wait list?
What is the estimated target dates of when our services will begin and end?
How long does it typically take for your representatives to return phone calls?
Requirements
What age bracket qualifies for this service? Is there a cut-off age?
Do you require a confirmed diagnosis or full medical assessment to qualify for your services?
If yes, am I able to use the diagnosis or assessment that I currently have from ----?
If not, who will be the person conducting the assessment from your agency and what is their profession?
Where and when will this take place and what diagnostic test will they use to conduct the assessment?
Once the assessment from your agency is complete, will I receive a copy of it?
Expenses
Are there any costs involved with your service? If yes, how much is this service going to cost?
How will I be billed and how often?
Is the invoice detailed and broken down with the services provided, staff members, materials etc… and costs?
Is the cost based on an income scale for price determination?
Can costs be covered by insurance?
Is your service funded? If yes, how much of it is funded and by whom (government or private) and how frequently?
Placement
How are services delivered? (Do you come to our home? Or do we go to your location? Or a combination of both?)
How many hours per week does this service require or is recommended?
How much of this service is one-on-one time with my child?
Personnel
Who is responsible for outlining my child’s program and activities during the service?
What level of qualifications or training experience do the therapists/teachers/staff have with working with someone who has autism?
Where did the staff attend the courses and for how long?
Will my child be working with “student staff”? If yes, will they be supervised?
What level of qualifications or training experience does the person who supervises/manages the program have?
How closely does the program supervisor/management work with the therapists, teachers, other professionals and parents?
What kind of ongoing training does your staff participate in?
Does the staff spend time building rapport with my child or does staffing change daily and frequently?
Is the staff responsible for cleaning up after the service?
Is your agency agreeable to work alongside with other outside professionals as a team?
Health and Safety Measures
What are the security measures put in place at the locations premises? (Locked Door Service, Security Staff, Security Cameras etc.)
Is the staff trained and equipped to do what is necessary in an emergency situation such as a fire, power outage, severe weather, or security lockdown, etc.?
Is the staff trained in first aid and equipped to recognize and handle co-morbid conditions such as seizures, allergic reactions or other serious medical issues?
Is all staff screened for criminal records or are regular police checks in place?
Service Type Outline
Can you describe a typical session of your services?
Do you offer to help my child with daily living or self-help skills such as toileting, feeding, bathing, dressing, etc?
If not, can you recommend a program/agency that would?
What do you use in your service for communication and non-verbal language development? (Picture communication system, sign language or other type?)
How do you determine which method of communication or additional service is best for my child?
Who is responsible for training/educational material or therapy items?
Do you have transitional programs? (for schools or other activities etc.)
Do you work with the parents and/or schools on creating IEPs, IPRCs, behavioural plans, etc.?
Do you set up a home program for parents to use and run themselves after the services are completed?
If yes, can your agency be contacted for further ongoing recommendations or adjustments in future?
If not, do you provide a list of other resources of government or privately funded services, agencies or organizations?
Social Interactions
Are there opportunities for interaction with other peers while using this service? If yes, are they also autistic? or not?
Do you offer to help with integrating my child into the community? (Social skills program or private outings?)
Do you offer help to find other additional resources? If yes, is it during or after the service is completed?
Evaluations
How do you evaluate a child’s progress?
How often would an evaluation take place?
How do you keep parents informed of a child’s progress?
Will there be a report provided at the end for the parent to keep for their child's records?
Meetings
How often do you hold meetings at the office? Are they flexible?
Am I able to invite others to attend the meeting?
Can meetings be done via phone or at my home?
Behaviour Techniques
What specific techniques do you use to manage behaviours that are challenging such as aggression, self-injury, yelling, etc.?
Do you use physical aversive or physical intrusive procedures? If yes, please explain.
Parental Involvement
Are parents involved with planning of the program and considered part of the intervention team?
Are parents welcome to participate in or observe the service?
Are parents allowed to record or video the service?
If services are being provided at home, do you require an adult to be present while service is taking place?
How much and what type of involvement is expected of the parents and/or additional family/private staff members?
Do you provide parent training or sibling/family/other private staff courses or programs both during and after service?